Trigger shrouding apparatus for firearms

ABSTRACT

A trigger shrouding apparatus for a firearm comprises a firearm component and a trigger shrouding structure attached to the firearm component. The firearm component is configured for being detachably attached to one of a grip mounting portion of a receiver body of a firearm and a magazine well mounting portion of the receiver body. The trigger shrouding structure includes a trigger shrouding side wall that extends longitudinally away from the firearm component. The trigger shrouding side wall is outwardly protruding with respect to a longitudinal reference axis extending through the firearm operating structure such that a finger receiving space is defined by an inwardly facing side of the trigger shrouding side wall.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to firearms and, moreparticularly, to structures and apparatuses mountable on a firearm andconfigured for limiting the potential for unintended actuation of atrigger of the firearm by an object other than a finger of a personcarrying the firearm.

BACKGROUND

In many situations, it is necessary and/or desirable to carry a firearmwith the safety in the fire position. For example, in certain lawenforcement and military situations, there is the need and/or desire toperform certain duties with the safety of a firearm in the “fire”position as opposed to the “safe” position. The reason for this is thatthe time and attention it takes to move the safety from the safeposition to the fire position, albeit typically fractions of a second,can sometimes be critical.

Even in the hands of the exceptionally well-trained professional,adverse situations can arise when carrying a firearm with the safety inthe fire position. For example, it is common for a firearm such as anassault rifle to be held by a shooter across the shooter's chest. Assuch, objects carried by the shooter on or near the chest of the shootercan accidentally engage and actuate the trigger of the firearm therebycausing the firearm to be unintentionally fired. Similarly, in outdoorsituations, an object such as a tree branch or the like can accidentallyengage and actuate the trigger of the firearm thereby causing thefirearm to be unintentionally fired.

Therefore, an apparatus mountable on a firearm and configured forlimiting the potential for unintended actuation of a trigger of thefirearm by an object other than a finger of a person carrying thefirearm would be advantageous, desirable and useful.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present invention relate to apparatuses configuredfor limiting the potential for unintended actuation of a trigger of afirearm by an object other than a finger of a person carrying thefirearm. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention aretrigger shrouding apparatuses that shroud (i.e., protect) a trigger of afirearm from foreign objects while allowing immediate access to thetrigger by a finger of a person carrying the firearm. Advantageously, atrigger shrouding apparatus configured in accordance with the presentinvention includes no moving parts and is mounted on or integral with acomponent of the firearm (e.g., a pistol grip, butt stock grip, magazinewell, trigger guard, etc).

In one embodiment of the present invention, a trigger shroudingapparatus for a firearm comprises a firearm component and a triggershrouding structure attached to the firearm component. The firearmcomponent is configured for being detachably attached to a grip mountingportion of a receiver body of a firearm or magazine well mountingportion of the receiver body. The trigger shrouding structure includes atrigger shrouding side wall that extends longitudinally away from thefirearm component. The trigger shrouding side wall is outwardlyprotruding with respect to a longitudinal reference axis extendingthrough the firearm operating structure such that an inwardly facingside of the trigger shrouding side wall defines a finger receivingspace.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a trigger shroudingapparatus for a firearm comprises a hand gripping structure (e.g., apistol grip, butt stock grip, magazine well, trigger guard, etc) and atrigger shrouding structure attached to the hand gripping structure. Thehand gripping structure has a receiver mounting portion configured forbeing mounted on a mating portion of a receiver body of a firearm. Thetrigger shrouding structure includes two opposing side walls that eachextend forward of the hand gripping structure with respect to anorientation of the hand gripping structure when the hand grippingstructure is mounted on the mating portion of the receiver body. A firstone of the side walls includes a protruding portion that protrudesoutwardly away from a second one of the side walls such that a fingerreceiving space is defined by an inwardly facing side of the first oneof the side walls.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a firearm comprises areceiver body assembly, a hand gripping structure and a triggershrouding structure. The receiver body assembly includes a receiverbody, a magazine well structure and a trigger. The receiver body has afront portion and rear portions. The trigger extends from a lower edgeportion of the receiver body between the front and rear portions of thereceiver body. The magazine well structure is attached to the receiverbody at a location between the trigger and the front portion of thereceiver body. The hand gripping structure is attached to the receiverbody at a location between the trigger and the rear portion of thereceiver body such that a trigger accessing space is defined between thehand gripping structure and the magazine well structure. The triggershrouding structure is attached to the hand gripping structure and/orthe receiver assembly. The trigger shrouding structure includes a firstside wall that extends over the trigger accessing space on a first sideof the receiver body. The first side wall includes a protruding portionthat protrudes outwardly away from the trigger accessing space such thata finger receiving space is defined by an inwardly facing side of thefirst side wall. The first side wall intersects a trigger access openingof the trigger shrouding structure adjacent the hand gripping structuresuch that a trigger actuating finger of a hand can extend intoengagement with the trigger through the trigger access opening whileother fingers of a hand comprising the trigger actuating finger arewrapped around the hand gripping structure.

These and other objects, embodiments, advantages and/or distinctions ofthe present invention will become readily apparent upon further reviewof the following specification, associated drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a pistol gripintegrated trigger shrouding apparatus configured in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial fragmentary view showing a firearm having the pistolgrip integrated trigger shrouding apparatus of FIG. 1 in combinationtherewith.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a magazine wellintegrated trigger shrouding apparatus configured in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the magazine well integrated trigger shroudingapparatus shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a partial fragmentary view showing a firearm having themagazine well integrated trigger shrouding apparatus of FIG. 5 incombination therewith.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a pistol gripintegrated trigger shrouding apparatus with a selectively detachabletrigger shrouding structure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a single-sidedtrigger shrouding apparatus that is configured for being detachablyattached to a firearm exclusively through engagement with a triggerguard of the firearm.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a triggershrouding apparatus having an integral trigger guard.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a dual-sidedtrigger shrouding apparatus that is configured for being detachablyattached to a firearm exclusively through engagement with a triggerguard of the firearm.

FIG. 12 is an end view of the dual-sided trigger shrouding apparatusshown in FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a pistol grip integrated trigger shroudingapparatus 100 is shown. The pistol grip integrated trigger shroudingapparatus 100 includes a pistol grip 102 and a trigger shroudingstructure 104 attached to the pistol grip 102. The pistol grip 102 isone example of a hand gripping structure of a firearm to which a triggershrouding apparatus configured in accordance with the present inventioncan be attached. Furthermore, the pistol grip 102 (i.e., rear handgripping structure) is one example of a firearm component to which atrigger shrouding structure configured in accordance with the presentinvention can be attached. Thus, the pistol grip integrated triggershrouding apparatus 100 is one example of a firearm component integratedtrigger shrouding apparatus configured in accordance with the presentinvention.

The pistol grip 102 includes a receiver mounting portion 106 configuredfor being mounted on a mating portion of a receiver body of a firearm. Askilled person will appreciate approaches by which a hand grippingstructure can be attached to a mating portion of a receiver body of anassociated firearm. Accordingly, it will be understood from thedisclosures herein that trigger shrouding apparatuses configured inaccordance with present invention are not limited to any particularapproach for being mounted on a grip mounting portion of a firearm.

The trigger shrouding structure 104 includes two opposing side walls(i.e., a first side wall 108 and a second side wall 110) that eachextend forward of the pistol grip 102 with respect to an orientation ofthe pistol grip 102 when the pistol grip 102 is mounted on the matingportion of the receiver body. A trigger receiving space 111 is definedbetween the two opposing side walls 108, 110. In this manner, when thetrigger shrouding apparatus 100 is mounted on a mating firearm, atrigger of the firearm is positioned within the trigger receiving space111.

The first side wall 108 includes a protruding portion 112 that protrudesoutwardly away from the second side wall 110 such that a fingerreceiving space 114 is defined by an inwardly facing side 116 of thefirst side wall 108. The second side wall 110 includes a protrudingportion 118 that protrudes outwardly away from the first side wall 108such that a finger receiving space 120 is defined by an inwardly facingside 122 of the second side wall 110. The protruding portion 118 of thesecond side wall 110 terminates at (i.e., intersects with) a triggeraccess opening 124 of the trigger shrouding structure 104. The triggeraccess opening serves as an entrance into the protruding portion 118 ofthe second side wall 110. Preferably, a location of the trigger accessopening 124 is positioned such that the entrance into the trigger accessopening 124 faces in a direction toward the pistol grip 102. As shown,the trigger access opening 124 is jointly defined between the protrudingportion and non-protruding portion (i.e., generally flat portion) of thesecond side wall 110. In other embodiments, the trigger access opening124 can be defined solely within the protruding portion 118 of thesecond side wall 110.

The trigger access opening 124 is adjacent the pistol grip 102 such thata trigger actuating finger can extend into engagement with a triggerpositioned within the trigger receiving space 111 through the triggeraccess opening 124 of the protruding portion 118 of the second side wall110 while other fingers of a hand comprising the trigger actuatingfinger are wrapped around the pistol grip. The finger receiving space114 (i.e., swelled portion) of the first side wall 108 provides spacefor being occupied by a portion of the trigger actuating finger thatextends beyond the trigger. In this manner, the pistol grip integratedtrigger shrouding apparatus 100 limits the potential for unintendedactuation of the trigger of the firearm by an object other than thetrigger actuating finger of the person carrying the firearm.

Depending on specific needs and requirements, the trigger shroudingstructure 104 and the pistol grip 102 can jointly define a one-piecestructure. For example, the trigger shrouding structure 104 and thepistol grip 102 can be machined from a single piece of material, moldedas a single piece of material or the like. Similarly, the triggershrouding structure 104 is preferably a one-piece structure such thatthe trigger shrouding structure 104 is essentially immovable withrespect to the pistol grip 102.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the pistol grip integrated trigger shroudingapparatus 100 is shown mounted on a firearm 150. The firearm 150includes a receiver body 152, a magazine well structure 154, a trigger156 and a trigger guard 158. The receiver body 152, the magazine wellstructure 154, the trigger 156, and the trigger guard 158 jointly definea receiver body assembly. The receiver body 152 has a front portion 160and rear portion 162. The trigger 156 extends from a lower edge portion164 of the receiver body 152 between the front and rear portions 160,162 of the receiver body 152. The magazine well structure 154 isintegral with the receiver body 152 at a location between the trigger156 and the front portion 160 of the receiver body 152. The pistol grip102 of the trigger shrouding apparatus 100 is attached to the receiverbody 152 at a location between the trigger 156 and the rear portion 162of the receiver body 152 (i.e., pistol grip mounting portion of thereceiver body 152) such that a trigger accessing space is definedbetween the pistol grip 102 and the magazine well structure 154. Thetrigger 156 is located within the trigger accessing space. The twoopposing side walls 108, 110 of the trigger shrouding structure 104extends over the trigger accessing space on opposing sides of thereceiver body 152. The protruding portion of each one of the side walls108, 110 protrude outwardly away from the trigger accessing space 111.As disclosed above in reference to FIGS. 1-3, access to the trigger 156is provided through the trigger access opening 124.

A skilled person will be familiar with various types and configurationsof firearms configured in a manner compatible with a pistol gripintegrated trigger shrouding apparatus in accordance with the presentinvention. Examples of such firearms are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,520,019 to Schuetz, U.S. Pat. No. 7,444,775 to Schuetz, U.S. Pat. No.3,198,066 to Stoner, U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,224 to Morris, and U.S. Pat.No. 5,452,534 to Lambie, all of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a magazine well integrated trigger shroudingapparatus 200 is shown. The magazine well integrated trigger shroudingapparatus 200 includes a magazine well 202 and a trigger shroudingstructure 204 attached to the magazine well 202. The magazine well 202is one example of a firearm component to which a trigger shroudingstructure configured in accordance with the present invention can beattached. Thus, the magazine well integrated trigger shrouding apparatus200 is one example of a firearm component integrated trigger shroudingapparatus configured in accordance with the present invention.

The magazine well 202 includes receiver mounting portions 206, 207configured for being engaged with (i.e., mounted on) mating portions ofa receiver body of a firearm. A skilled person will appreciateapproaches by which a magazine well can be engaged with mating portionsof a receiver body of an associated firearm. Accordingly, it will beunderstood from the disclosures herein that trigger shroudingapparatuses configured in accordance with present invention are notlimited to any particular approach for being mounted on magazine wellmounting portion of a firearm.

The trigger shrouding structure 204 includes two opposing side walls(i.e., a first side wall 208 and a second side wall 210) that eachextend rearward of the magazine well 202 with respect to an orientationof the magazine well 202 when the magazine well 202 is mounted on themating portion of the receiver body. A trigger receiving space 211 isdefined between the two opposing side walls 208, 210. In this manner,when the trigger shrouding apparatus 200 is mounted on a mating firearm,a trigger of the firearm is positioned within the trigger receivingspace 211.

The first side wall 208 includes a protruding portion 212 that protrudesoutwardly away from the second side wall 210 such that a fingerreceiving space 214 is defined by an inwardly facing side 216 (FIG. 5)of the first side wall 208. The second side wall 210 includes aprotruding portion 218 that protrudes outwardly away from the first sidewall 208 such that a finger receiving space 220 is defined by aninwardly facing side 222 of the second side wall 210. The protrudingportion 218 of the second side wall 210 terminates at (i.e., intersectswith) a trigger access opening 224 of the trigger shrouding structure204. The trigger access opening 224 serves as an entrance into theprotruding portion 218 of the second side wall 210. As shown, thetrigger access opening 224 is defined by a rear edge portion of thesecond side wall 210.

The trigger access opening 224 is configured such, when the magazinewell integrated trigger shrouding apparatus 200 is mounted on anassociated firearm, the trigger access opening 224 is adjacent a rearportion of a receiver body of the firearm. In this manner, a triggeractuating finger can extend into engagement with a trigger positionedwithin the trigger receiving space through the trigger access opening224 of the protruding portion 218 of the second side wall 210 whileother fingers of a hand comprising the trigger actuating finger arewrapped around a rear hand gripping structure of the firearm. The fingerreceiving space 214 (i.e., swelled portion) of the first side wall 208provides space for being occupied by a portion of the trigger actuatingfinger that extends beyond the trigger. In this manner, the magazinewell integrated trigger shrouding apparatus 200 limits the potential forunintended actuation of the trigger of the firearm by an object otherthan the trigger actuating finger of the person carrying the firearm.

Depending on specific needs and requirements, the trigger shroudingstructure 204 and the magazine well 202 can jointly define a one-piecestructure. For example, the trigger shrouding structure 204 and themagazine well 202 can be machined from a single piece of material,molded as a single piece of material or the like. Similarly, the triggershrouding structure 204 is preferably a one-piece structure such thatthe trigger shrouding structure 20 is essentially immovable with respectto the magazine well 202.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the magazine well integrated trigger shroudingapparatus 200 is shown mounted on a firearm 250. The firearm 250includes a receiver body 252, a trigger 256 and a trigger guard 258. Thereceiver body 252, the trigger 256 and the trigger guard 258 jointlydefine a receiver body assembly. The receiver body 252 has a frontportion 260 and rear portion 262. The trigger 256 extends from a loweredge portion 264 of the receiver body 252 between the front and rearportions 260, 262 of the receiver body 252. The receiver body 252includes magazine well mounting portions 265 (e.g., mounting pins or thelike). The magazine well 202 of the magazine well integrated triggershrouding apparatus 200 is secured to the lower edge portion 264 of thereceiver body 252 by the magazine well mounting portions 265 at alocation between the front portion 260 of the receiver body 252 and thetrigger 256. A trigger accessing space is defined between the magazinewell 202 and the rear portion 262 of the receiver body 252. The trigger256 is located within the trigger accessing space. The two opposing sidewalls 208, 210 of the trigger shrouding structure 204 extends over thetrigger accessing space on opposing sides of the receiver body 252 andterminates at or near a rear hand gripping structure 267 (e.g., buttstick, pistol grip of the like) of the firearm 250. The protrudingportions 212, 218 of the side walls 208, 210 protrude outwardly awayfrom the trigger accessing space. As disclosed above in reference toFIGS. 5 and 6, access to the trigger 256 is provided through the triggeraccess opening 224.

A skilled person will be familiar with various types and configurationsof firearms configured in a manner compatible with a magazine wellintegrated trigger shrouding apparatus in accordance with the presentinvention. Examples of such firearms are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.7,131,228 to Hochstrate et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 6,895,708 to Kim etal., both of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a pistol grip integrated trigger shroudingapparatus 300 having a pistol grip 302 and a trigger shrouding structure304 detachably attached to the pistol grip 302. The trigger shroudingstructure 304 includes a single side wall 308 having a plurality ofinterlock features 307 that engage mating interlock features 309 of thepistol grip 302 for detachably attaching the trigger shrouding structure304 to the pistol grip 302. The trigger shrouding structure 304 alsoincludes a trigger guard engaging member 313 (e.g., a trigger guardclip) configured for being detachably attached to a trigger guard of afirearm. Accordingly, the trigger shrouding structure 304 is secured toa firearm through the pistol grip 302 and through a trigger guard of thefirearm.

The pistol grip 302 can be configured in substantially the same manneras that discussed above in reference to FIGS. 1-4. The trigger shroudingstructure 304 includes a protruding portion 312 that can be configuredsubstantially the same as either protruding portion of the triggershrouding apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1-4 (i.e., protruding portion 112or protruding portion 118). As shown, the protruding portion 312 of thetrigger shrouding structure 304 is configured in a similar manner to theprotruding portion 112 of the trigger shrouding apparatus 100 shown in.FIGS. 1-4.

Detachability of a side wall not having a trigger access opening isbeneficial in that it allows the side wall to be removed so that thetrigger can be readily actuated from either side of the firearm.

This is beneficial if a firearm for a person having opposite dexterity(e.g., left handed as opposed to right handed) of a primary user of afirearm has a need to use the firearm. For example, with respect to thepistol grip integrated trigger shrouding apparatus 300, the sidewall 310can be detached from an attached firearm by applying sufficient force onthe side wall 310 in a direction away from the trigger until theplurality of interlock features 307 disengage from the mating interlockfeatures 309 of the pistol grip 302 and the trigger guard engagingmember 313 disengages from the trigger guard. In one embodiment, suchforce can be applied to a release tab 315 of the side wall 310.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a single-sided trigger shrouding apparatus400 that is configured for being detachably attached to a firearmexclusively through engagement with a trigger guard of the firearm. Thetrigger shrouding apparatus 400 includes a trigger shrouding structure404 and a trigger guard engaging member 413 (e.g., a trigger guard clip)attached to the trigger shrouding structure 404. Preferably, but notnecessarily, the trigger guard engaging member 413 is attached to alower edge portion 417 of the trigger shrouding structure 404. Thetrigger guard engaging member 413 is configured for being detachablyattached to a trigger guard of a firearm such that the trigger guardshrouding apparatus 400 can be secured to a firearm through only thetrigger guard of the firearm. The trigger shrouding structure 404includes a protruding portion 412 that can be configured substantiallythe same as either protruding portion of the trigger shrouding apparatus100 shown in FIGS. 1-4 (i.e., protruding portion 112 or protrudingportion 118). As shown, the protruding portion 412 of the triggershrouding structure 404 is configured in a similar manner to theprotruding portion 112 of the trigger shrouding apparatus 100 shown inFIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a trigger shrouding apparatus 500 havingtrigger shrouding structure 504 and a trigger guard 505 integrallyattached to the trigger shrouding structure 504.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the trigger guard 505 is attached to alower edge portion 517 of the trigger shrouding structure 504. Thetrigger guard can be configured in the same configured as a known priorart for trigger guard. The trigger shrouding structure 504 includes aprotruding portion 512 that can be configured substantially the same aseither protruding portion of the trigger shrouding apparatus 100 shownin FIGS. 1-4 (i.e., protruding portion 112 or protruding portion 118).

As shown, the protruding portion 512 of the trigger shrouding structure404 is configured in a similar manner to the protruding portion 112 ofthe trigger shrouding apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1-4.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show an embodiment of a dual-sided trigger shroudingapparatus 600 that is configured for being detachably attached to afirearm exclusively through engagement with a trigger guard of thefirearm. The trigger shrouding apparatus 600 includes a triggershrouding structure 604 and a trigger guard engaging member 613 (e.g., atrigger guard clip) attached to the trigger shrouding structure 604. Thetrigger shrouding structure 604 includes two opposing side walls (i.e.,a first side wall 608 and a second side wall 610) and a bottom wall 617extending between the side walls 608, 610. A trigger receiving space 611is defined between the two opposing side walls 608, 610. In this manner,when the trigger shrouding apparatus 600 is mounted on a mating firearm,a trigger of the firearm is positioned within the trigger receivingspace 611. The trigger guard engaging member 613 is attached to thebottom wall 617. The trigger guard engaging member 613 is configured forbeing detachably attached to a trigger guard of a firearm such that thetrigger guard shrouding apparatus 600 can be secured to a firearmthrough only the trigger guard of the firearm.

The first side wall 608 includes a protruding portion 612 that protrudesoutwardly away from the second side wall 610 such that a fingerreceiving space 614 is defined by an inwardly facing side 616 of thefirst side wall. The second side wall 610 includes a protruding portion618 that protrudes outwardly away from the first side wall 108 such thata finger receiving space 620 is defined by an inwardly facing side 622of the second side wall 610. The protruding portion 618 of the secondside wall 610 terminates at (i.e., intersects with) a trigger accessopening 624 of the trigger shrouding structure 604. The trigger accessopening serves as an entrance into the protruding portion 618 of thesecond side wall 610. Preferably, a location of the trigger accessopening 624 is positioned such that the entrance into the trigger accessopening 624 faces in a direction toward a rear portion of a firearm onwhich the trigger shrouding apparatus 600 is mounted. As shown, thetrigger access opening 624 is jointly defined between the protrudingportion and non-protruding portion (i.e., generally flat portion) of thesecond side wall 610. In other embodiments, the trigger access opening624 can be defined solely within the protruding portion 618 of thesecond side wall 610.

A skilled person will appreciate that various structural and/orfunctional aspects of one disclosed embodiment can be integrated and/orexchanged with another one of the embodiments. Examples of suchstructural and/or functional aspects include, but are not limited to, aprotruding portion of a trigger shrouding side wall terminating at atrigger access opening, a trigger access opening facing in a directiontoward a rear portion (e.g., rear hand gripping structure) of a firearmon which a trigger shrouding apparatus is mounted, a trigger shroudingside wall being essentially immovable with respect to a remainingportion of the trigger shrouding structure, a trigger shroudingStructure being one-piece structure, and a side wall of a triggershrouding structure being detachably attached to firearm component.Accordingly, it is disclosed herein that embodiments of the presentinvention as disclosed herein may incorporate features of anotherdisclosed embodiment.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown byway of illustration specific embodiments in which the present inventionmay be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, havebeen described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the artto practice embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understoodthat other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical,mechanical, chemical and electrical changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of such inventive disclosures. Toavoid unnecessary detail, the description omits certain informationknown to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed descriptionis, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms setforth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover suchalternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonablyincluded within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A trigger shrouding apparatus for a firearm,comprising: a firearm component configured for being detachably attachedto one of a grip mounting portion of a receiver body of a firearm and amagazine well mounting portion of the receiver body; and a triggershrouding structure attached to the firearm component, wherein thetrigger shrouding structure includes a trigger shrouding side wall thatextends longitudinally away from the firearm component and wherein thetrigger shrouding side wall is outwardly protruding with respect to alongitudinal reference axis extending through the firearm operatingstructure such that a finger receiving space is defined by an inwardlyfacing side of the trigger shrouding'side wall.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the trigger shrouding side wall terminates at a triggeraccess opening of the trigger .shrouding structure.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 2 wherein the trigger access opening faces in a direction towardthe firearm component.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the triggershrouding side wall is essentially immovable with respect to firearmcomponent.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the trigger shroudingstructure is a one-piece structure.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe trigger shrouding structure is a one-piece structure.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the trigger shrouding side wall isdetachably attached to firearm component.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the trigger shrouding side wall is essentially immovable withrespect firearm component.
 9. A trigger shrouding apparatus for afirearm, comprising: a hand gripping structure having a receivermounting portion configured for being mounted on a mating portion of areceiver body of a firearm; and a trigger shrouding structure attachedto the hand gripping structure, wherein the trigger shrouding structureincludes two opposing side walls that each extend forward of the handgripping structure with respect to an orientation of the hand grippingstructure when the hand gripping structure is mounted on the matingportion of the receiver body and wherein a first one of said side wallsincludes a protruding portion thereof that protrudes outwardly away froma second one of said side walls such that a finger receiving space isdefined by an inwardly facing side of the trigger shrouding side wall.10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the protruding portion intersects afirst trigger access opening of the trigger shrouding structure adjacentthe hand gripping structure such that a trigger actuating finger of ahand can extend into engagement with the trigger through the triggeraccess opening while other fingers of a hand comprising the triggeractuating finger are wrapped around the hand gripping structure
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10 wherein the trigger access opening faces in adirection toward the hand gripping structure.
 12. The apparatus of claim11 wherein the trigger shrouding structure and the hand grippingstructure jointly define a one-piece structure.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 9 wherein the trigger shrouding structure, is a one-piecestructure.
 14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the first one of saidside walls is detachably attached to the hand gripping structure. 15.The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the trigger shrouding structure and thehand gripping structure jointly define a one-piece structure.
 16. Afirearm, comprising: a receiver body assembly including a receiver body,a magazine well structure and a trigger, wherein the receiver body has afront portion and rear portion, wherein the trigger extends from a loweredge portion of the receiver body between the front and rear portions ofthe receiver body, and wherein the magazine well structure is attachedto the receiver body at a location between the trigger and the frontportion of the receiver body; a hand gripping structure attached to thereceiver body at a location between the trigger and the rear portion ofthe receiver body such that a trigger accessing space is defined betweenthe hand gripping structure and the magazine well structure; and atrigger shrouding structure attached to at least one of the handgripping structure and the receiver assembly, wherein the triggershrouding structure includes a first side wall that extends over thetrigger accessing space on a first side of the receiver body, whereinthe first side wall includes a protruding portion that protrudesoutwardly away from the trigger accessing space such that a fingerreceiving space is defined by an inwardly facing side of the triggershrouding side wall, and wherein the first side wall defines a triggeraccess opening of the trigger shrouding structure adjacent the handgripping structure such that a trigger actuating finger of a hand canextend into engagement with the trigger through the trigger accessopening while other fingers of a hand comprising the trigger actuatingfinger are wrapped around the hand gripping structure.
 17. The firearmof claim 16 wherein the first side wall is essentially immovable withrespect to the hand gripping structure.
 18. The firearm of claim 16wherein: the receiver assembly further includes a trigger guardconnected directly between the hand gripping structure and at least oneof the magazine well structure and the receiver body; the triggershrouding structure is attached to at least' east one of the magazinewell structure and the trigger guard.
 19. The firearm of claim 18wherein the trigger shrouding structure is at least one of a one-piecestructure.
 20. The firearm of claim 18 wherein the trigger accessopening faces in a direction toward the rear portion of the receiverbody.